San Ildefonso Polychrome Bowl signed Marie [SOLD]

Polychrome pottery by the famous Maria and Julian Martinez of San Ildefonso is not plentiful.  Their black-on-black pottery was so popular that they rarely made polychrome wares after 1928.  This bowl was made by Maria and painted by Julian.  It is signed Marie San Ildefonso N M inscribed into the clay. It was made circa 1925 and is in extraordinary visual condition.

The owner, in 1999, asked Maria expert Richard L Spivey to comment on the bowl. Spivey wrote “You asked me about my comments on the Maria and Julian polychrome plate you had in your gallery.  I was fortunate to have seen this piece so I can give you my first-hand opinion.  Being signed ‘Marie’ would date it circa 1925.  Julian’s name was not used in the signature at that time even though he did the painting.  In my opinion this is an incredible piece in excellent condition.  The painting and the creation of the design is Julian at his best.  The use of guaco (the black paint) is very well handled.  It has a marvelous presence.  It is of good size and on a plate stand it carries very well clear across a room.  I guess I cannot say enough good things about this piece.”  Signed, Richard L. Spivey

The design painted by Julian is extremely precise in execution.  The parallel lines in the design are consistent in width and amazingly straight.  The design is from the fertile mind of Julian and is not a copy of a preexisting design.  Each element is a mirror image of a facing element.  The layout is perfect for the interior of the bowl.  The rim and underside were painted in red slip and not stone polished.  There is a single fire cloud on the underside.  Spivey’s comment that this was “Julian at his best” is certainly appropriate for the bowl.

The bowl was loaned to the Heard Museum by the current owner for display in an exhibit on the pottery of Maria and Julian.

Condition: a 6 inch section has been restored, otherwise original condition.

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Pennsylvania

Reference and Recommended Reading: The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez by Richard L. Spivey, 2003